A/N: Thanks for the reviews, Jackie and Virtute! You always have the greatest comments! And yeah, I'm not really into the whole damsel in distress waiting for the hero to show up either. I'm happiest if she at least tries to do something to save herself. And if she can't, that she has a fighting spirit and tries to hang on. Which is pretty much all Emily can do at this point. LOL Thanks again for reading...two more chapters after this one and it's finally complete!

Chapter 38

Joe's stomach was in knots. The fear gripping him was squeezing his lungs impossibly hard. So hard he could barely breathe. Where was she? How could MacLean do this to her? How could I have believed him and not Emily? Joe held onto the railing of the boat so tightly his knuckles turned white. If anything's happened to her, it's all my fault. She must hate me. He peered through the darkness, hoping the lights on the front of the boat would find her soon.

"Joe!" Frank pointed ahead. "Right there on the rock."

Joe stared hard through the driving rain. He saw what looked like a wisp of white fabric floating in the boat's headlights. As the boat neared the rocky island, Joe's heart leapt. It was Emily, up to her waist in water and clinging desperately to the jagged peak of the rock. "Hurry!" Joe's voice was grim.

"I'm trying," his brother called out. "I don't want the rocks to rip open the bottom of the boat."

Joe wasn't listening anymore. He quickly peeled off his shoes and socks and dove off the railing into the inky darkness of the ocean.

"Joe!" Frank shouted, cutting the engine. He watched as his brother surfaced and swam straight for the rocks and Emily. Frank hurriedly pulled out some rope and the ring, ready to throw it to his brother. "Damn it, Joe. I really didn't want to have to save both of you," he muttered.

OOOOOoooooOOOOO

Joe dragged himself onto the rocky shoal, ignoring the pain he felt as the waves pounded his body against the unyielding stone. He scrambled up next to Emily and put his arms around her. "Emily?" he called over the roar of the sea. "Emily, I'm here. It's Joe."

She turned her head in disbelief and blinked her eyes, almost swollen shut from the wind and salty spray of the ocean. "Joe?"

"Yes, honey, it's me." He reached up and tried to loosen her hands from the rock. She cried out as he pried her fingers from the peak. The light from the boat bounced over them and he saw the blood smeared across her palm and fingers. His mouth pressed into a thin line. "It's okay. I've got you now."

"Joe?" she repeated, sounding as if she wasn't quite sure he was real.

"Can you put your arms around my neck?"

She obeyed him as he braced himself against the rocks. He swayed as the next wave pressed against them, the sodden fabric of her wedding dress weighing them both down. He looked back toward the boat, wondering how on earth he was going to get her to it.

As if he understood, Frank turned on the motor and slowly edged closer to the rocks. He cut the engine fifteen feet away and bobbed up and down on the swells. Joe turned to Emily, who seemed only half conscious. He kept one hand firmly around her waist and took her chin in his other hand. "Emily, listen to me. We're going out to the boat now. I'm going to turn you on your back and I'll hold you around your waist. I just want you to relax and trust me. Okay?"

She nodded.

"Good girl." Joe descended further into the water and while Emily clung to his arm, he laid her back gently in the ocean. Her eyes opened wide and a panicked look crossed her face when the cold water swirled around her head. "It's okay," he said in a soothing tone. "I've got you. We don't have to go far."

He side-stroked back to the side of the boat, where Frank reached over the railing for her. "Be careful. She's hurt."

Frank pulled her gently into the boat, and then Joe quickly hauled himself up the ladder in the back. He stumbled forward, his body leaden and numb from the cold water, and reached for Emily. Frank helped them both to sit down, then pulled up the seat cushions, searching in the compartments for something to warm them.

"Here we go," he said, pulling out a wool blanket. He spread it across the shivering couple and returned to the driver's seat, starting the engine and heading quickly back to shore.

OOOOOoooooOOOOO

"I hear a motor," Fenton called to the police chief from shore. They tried to focus the searchlight into the ocean, but weren't able to see very far. "It's got to be the boys. I hope everything's all right."

"Me too," Collig replied as he looked over his shoulder at an unconscious Duncan being attended by his officers. "Because right now they have a lot of explaining to do."

Fenton ignored him as he continued to scan the horizon, hoping to see some sign of his sons approaching.

Collig sighed and reached for his radio. "Yeah, this is the chief. I need a couple of paramedics down here on the beach, please. We're anticipating more injuries."

The two men heard the motor of the boat power down, and soon it came into view with Frank clearly visible at the helm.

"Where's Joe?" Fenton asked. "And Emily?" He rushed toward the shoreline and waded into the surf.

Frank leaned over the side of the boat. "Don't worry, Dad, everyone's here. Emily and Joe need some help though."

Fenton nodded and gestured for the paramedics, while other officers rushed out to help secure the boat. He watched while they took Emily and carried her semi-conscious form up the beach. He grabbed onto Frank. "What the hell is she wearing?"

Frank shook his head as they both turned to help Joe. "A wedding dress. You're not going to believe what Duncan did."

"He's completely insane," Joe offered. "And as soon as I get the chance, I'm going to kill that bastard with my bare hands."

Fenton reached for Joe's arm and held him back. "Calm down, son. That's not going to help anybody right now. Least of all, Emily."

"Dad, he left her out there to die." Joe's eyes flashed with anger. "He dressed her up like some sort of sacrificial offering and left her on that rock to drown when the tide came in." His voice wavered. "We were almost too late."

Fenton pulled his youngest son into a tight embrace. "You weren't too late. You got her."

Joe nodded. "I'm going with her. She needs to see a doctor."

"So should you," Fenton called after him. "You were in that freezing water, too."

Joe waved his hand dismissively as he jogged up the beach after the paramedics.

Frank stood closer to his father. "I've never seen him this upset over a girl before."

Fenton turned to Frank and said quietly, "I think he's in love with her."

Frank watched as Joe rushed up to the stretcher where the paramedics were checking Emily's vital signs, and dropped to his knees beside her. "What do you know?" He grinned at Fenton. "I actually approve of his choice."

"So do I," Fenton with a laugh.

OOOOOoooooOOOOO

Joe held Emily's bandaged hand gently as he stood at the side of her hospital bed. She looks so small. So vulnerable. He brought her hand to his mouth, kissing it tenderly. She stirred slightly. Joe leaned over and brushed her tousled hair away from her brow, as the door to her room opened slowly. Frank approached them.

"Is she okay?"

Joe nodded. "She's exhausted. They've gotten her warmed up though. She had signs of hypothermia. If she'd been out there much longer..."

Frank placed his hand on his brother's shoulder. "Don't think about it. She's going to be fine. She's strong. Most people would have panicked in her situation. She didn't."

"She's afraid of dark water." His voice dropped. "I can't imagine what she must have gone through out there. And she thought I'd abandoned her."

"Stop. You can explain it all to her when she wakes up." He changed the subject. "Listen, Collig said Perriton cracked during questioning."

"Then he admitted to this?"

Frank shook his head. "No, he only confessed to the intent to commit insurance fraud. He says he doesn't know who was behind the murder. He also doesn't know who was stalking Emily. He swears it wasn't him."

"It was Duncan." Joe's eyes darkened at the mention of his name. "Hasn't Collig questioned him yet?"

"He can't. Apparently, Duncan is suffering from alcohol poisoning. He's unconscious at the moment. They're trying to stabilize him, but it's going to be awhile before he's capable of answering any questions." Frank grinned at his brother. "Not to mention he has a broken jaw. That might impede his conversation skills a little bit, too."

"He's lucky that's all he has."

Frank put his hand on his brother's shoulder. "Listen, I'm going down into the lobby. Dad's been investigating everyone's background on this case and he's expecting some information from some of his European contacts within the hour. Do you want to come with me? Take a break for a minute? She looks like she's sleeping now."

Joe shook his head. "I'm not leaving her."

Frank started to say something, then stopped. "Okay. We'll call you if we find anything."

"If they start to question Duncan, let me know."

"Will do." Frank patted him on the back. "Why don't you get some rest, too?" He grinned. "That bed looks big enough for two if you ask me."

Joe turned and smiled. "Thanks, bro. Not sure if the patient in the next bed would appreciate waking up to that."

Frank glanced at the elderly woman asleep on the other side of the room. "Maybe not." He grinned at Joe. "Pull the curtain first."

OOOOOoooooOOOOO

Emily opened her eyes slowly. They stung fiercely. She blinked and tried to look around. Where am I? Everything seemed out of focus and the light was dim. She struggled to sit up and felt a pair of strong arms gently restraining her.

"Lie down, sweetheart."

Joe? Emily turned her head towards the sound of the voice. She blinked again, but it was useless. Everything was so fuzzy and her eyelids felt like they had grit behind them. She reached her hand toward his face and touched his cheek gently. "Joe?" Her voice was a hoarse whisper.

He took her hand, bringing her bandaged palm to his mouth, and kissed it tenderly.

She swallowed hard and tried to speak again, "Joe, is that you?"

"Yes, honey." He reached for a pitcher of water on her bedside table and poured her a small glass. "Don't try to talk just yet." He reached over the bed and lifted her head slightly, while holding the straw to her lips. "Drink this."

Emily obediently swallowed the water, and he eased her back down on the pillows. She watched him as he sat down on the edge of the bed, still trying to understand what had happened and where she was. Joe stroked her hair and her cheek and smiled. "How do you feel?"

"Confused." She cleared her throat. "Wh-where am I?"

"Bayport General. Do you remember the ambulance ride?"

She shook her head. "The last thing I remember was the water." Her eyes clouded. "It was roaring. Like it was alive. It was dark, too." She paused. "I was so scared. I knew I couldn't hold on much longer, but I didn't want Duncan to win."

"You were amazing." Joe's voice was tender. "You didn't give up."

"No. I-I tried to let go. I wanted to try and float with the current." Tears filled her eyes. "But then, it got so cold and the rain got worse. It was like my hands were frozen to the rock. I couldn't move them."

He pressed his lips together, trying to control his emotions. "I'm glad you didn't let go. I don't know if I could have found you if you had."

"How did you find me?"

"Stacey called, wanting to know where you were. She explained that you were with her last week." His voice broke slightly. "I'm so sorry. I never should have doubted you." He leaned his head on the bed railing. "I was such a jerk. The things I said..." He paused when he felt her stroking his hair.

"Joe, this is all Duncan's fault. I would have thought the same thing if I were in your shoes."

He shook his head. "No. There's no excuse." He lifted his head to look at her. "I should have trusted you. Can you ever forgive me?"

"Can I forgive you? You saved my life." She struggled to a sitting position. "Please don't be so hard on yourself."

"You need to lie down," he said with a smile.

"Okay, but only after this." She rested her bandaged hand against his cheek and guided him toward her. Closing her eyes as his lips brushed hers, Emily felt the sting of her own tears as relief and joy flowed through her. Joe's mouth was warm and tender and she felt as if his kiss were healing her battered body. She began to feel drowsy again and very content.

Not taking his lips from hers, Joe eased her back down on her pillows. Emily sighed against his mouth and slid her arms onto his shoulders. He nuzzled her neck and placed little kisses along her jaw. Her eyes felt heavy, but she knew there was one more thing she wanted to clear up before she slept. "Joe?" she murmured.

"Hmmm?" His breath was warm against her ear.

Emily's mind felt hazy and light as she began drifting off to sleep. "I just want you to know I've never slept with anyone before. I'm a virgin."

Her eyes fluttered closed and Joe released her quietly, gazing down at her while the proverbial knife twisted in his heart just a little more.